Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Two Breaths Too Late

by Rochelle Maya Callen

9.30.14

Young Adult

After years of secrets and bruises, Ellie Walker takes her own life only weeks before her high school graduation. She expected to be free, but instead is forced to face the brokenness she has left behind.

This story isn't about happily-ever-afters.

It is about the millions of terrible and beautiful moments that make up a life and the hope that lives in even the darkest of places.

A Message from the Author:

EXCERPT:

Death,

I
let you take me. I handed you a rope, a chair, and a hollow shell of
a girl forgetting that I didn't have to be hollow at all.

I press my forehead against the
glass. The feeling rakes through me. There is no relief or freedom
here, in this in-between, in this limbo. This is not the sanctuary I
wanted.

Hope can't be a hollow wish or
dream. It needs to be filled, levied, brimming over with intention
and action and belief and reaching, reaching, reaching, stretching
until your muscles ache because you want it that damn much, and you
won't stop reaching until you hold it.

Until it is yours.

I let go too soon.

Contribute Now!

About the Author:

ROCHELLE
MAYA CALLEN is a bestselling YA author. Her first novel became
a #1 Hot New Release on Amazon in 2013 within 24 hours of its
debut. She has pet
llamas in Ecuador, built homes in Mexico, played with orphans in
Argentina and has spoken the words of Mother Teresa in front of
27,000 people at Reliant Stadium. She has been
a speaker to young people since she was a teenager and has been a
behavioral coach for 10 years. She
lives with her husband and young daughter near Washington, D.C. Her
personal experiences of loss and
strength
inspired her novel, TWO BREATHS TOO LATE and the #HoldOn2Hope suicide
prevention project.

When Garrett Andrews finds something that catches his eye, he goes after it, letting nothing stand in the way of what he wants to possess...

The first woman to arouse his heart could be the one person who helps him to finally open up and feel again.

Laurel Hart was a swimming champion until a frightful event and unknown health issues derailed her career…

With a recent degree from MIT in Bio-Medical Engineering and an offer to join one of the leading innovators of medical equipment in the world, she plans on making a new life for herself; letting nightmares from her past stay in the past, or so she thinks.

Once Garrett finds out about Laurel’s past, all rules in regards to "relationships" are changed, because one false move could drive her away. He attempts to calm her nightmares and gain her trust so he can show her who he really is and the relationship he desires from her.

Will they be able to overcome the damage their hearts have encountered? Can they find happiness? Can they trust their minds or will life throw each of them another curveball?

Only time will tell if they can…

learn to trust…

I grew up in a small town in South Florida called Clewiston and moved to Central Florida to attend college. I married my friend, love, and soul mate and still reside in the area with our amazing son, and a feisty, four-legged little doggie boy.

In my books, I draw on my background in healthcare, business, and science, along with my husband’s engineering and wireless technology knowledge.

I currently write on all levels of Romance. The Learning Series is for those who like a little more steam with their books, falling into the categories of Contemporary and verging on Erotica, with a hint of Suspense. The Remembrance Series encompasses Young Adult, with a touch of Paranormal activity and a hint of Historical romance. A new contemporary romance series is underway, called Need. It will be different than the others, because each book will focus on a new couple, while the other characters will still have a large presence throughout the series.

I try to make my writing very personal and close to her heart. Regular life is the inspiration for my books, but I'm only limited by imagination taking ideas to new heights, opening up possibilities that would normally not exist.

On a more personal note...I love to cook and create in the kitchen and on the bbq grill. I sometimes lose myself in a song at the piano. I often sing with my son while we are driving or making dinner together. I enjoy crafts (flower arranging, making wreaths, painting pottery, needle point and drawing in pencil and charcoals). My music tastes are eclectic at best, ranging from classical piano to hard rock/heavy metal. It all depends on the song, group, and if it has a good beat or is a soulful ballad.

He pulled his phone from his pants pocket, typed some words rather quickly, and then returned it to his pocket.

“What are you doing?” I wondered aloud. I sincerely hoped that wasn’t about me.

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with. Just had a thought that I’d like to run by someone and wanted to jot it down before I lost it.”

”Just so you know, I don’t like it when people are secretive around me. It makes me nervous and I tend to push people away.” I don’t know why I was being so upfront with him, but, this phone messaging had me on edge. I can’t stand secrets.

He walked towards me with a wry smile and backed me slowly against the wall. He leaned into me, tracing his nose up my neck, and I heard the closet door close. “I like that you’re feisty, Laurel, makes life more interesting.” His hands came to rest on the wall along each side of my head, caging me in, as he continued to trace his nose up to my face, across my chin, and down the other side of my neck. His tone in his voice became sultry. “Do you still trust me?”

The electricity between us hung heavy in the air. It was so palpable you could taste it. My skin was on fire from his touch. Every synapse of every nerve ending was firing off rapidly and my breathing continued to accelerate. Something felt dark and dangerous about Garrett, but at the same time, I’d never desired anyone more. No one had ever managed to elicit the kind of reactions he was driving from my body.

He leaned in closer, his body molding up against mine. “Are you going to answer me?” he whispered in my ear, his voice becoming a little more commanding.

My eyes closed, trying to make sense of what I was feeling. Just his voice and soft touch made my head spin; I was thankful that I had the wall to lean into for support. I finally found the strength to answer. “Yes,” I murmured.

His lips began to nibble on my left earlobe. “Yes, you’ll answer, or yes, you trust me?”

“Yes, I trust you.”

His hand began to caress my face as his lips continued their assault on my earlobe and neck. “Do you have any idea how breathtakingly beautiful you are tonight? You’re driving me crazy.”

My head began to spin as his lips moved up across the side of my cheek to my chin at an achingly slow pace. At the same time, his right hand started to travel down my neck, where his fingers traced the low neckline of my dress.

My heart raced as the palm of his hand brushed gently across one of my breasts. I was surprised by how heavy my breasts felt. I could feel my nipples harden, straining against the fabric of my bra. Soon his lips were pressed hard on my mouth, tugging at my bottom lip. “Ahh,” I moaned as his tongue plunged deeply into my mouth, sending my mind scattering to the heated overload of sensation my body was feeling. Our mouths began to move in perfect unison with one another.

My conscience screamed at me. Tell him to slow down. You know this is moving too quickly. What are you thinking?!

I tried to move away, ever so slightly put some distance between our bodies, but his hips pressed harder, grinding into mine. His erection felt huge, bulging out hard from his slacks and pressing up against my belly. I couldn’t believe how much this man wanted me and was surprised that my body was responding with unheeded desire for him.

Garrett finally pulled back long enough for us to take in deprived lungs full of air. After a few more breaths, I asked, in a rather shaky and exhaustive tone, “Can we please slow things down a bit?”

Both of his hands rose up the wall to rest on either side of my head. He took a few more deep breaths and kissed me chastely on the lips before resting his forehead against mine.

“My apologies, Laurel, I don’t know what came over me. There’s something about you that makes my body respond so intensely. I’m like an alcoholic drawn to your intoxicating beauty and scent; I just can’t seem to get enough. I’ve never had this kind of reaction to anyone before.” He paused for a moment, taking in a deep breath to clear his mind. “I agree, though, we need to take things slower.”

He lifted one of my hands towards his lips and kissed it gently before placing it atop his shoulder. He repeated the same thing with my other hand, indicating he wanted me encircling his shoulders. Then he cupped my face with his own hands and leaned in for a gentle kiss.

The tenderness of this new kiss made me feel more secure in his arms. We continued this way for what seemed like an eternity, until I heard the door open and Hannah walk in calling, “Laurel? Are you here?”

We both pulled away from the wall. He had a quizzical look on his face, as if he’d forgotten we were in the closet in my dorm room. “Roommate?” he whispered.

I nodded in response. What are we supposed to do now? Wait her out?

We waited to hear what she was doing. As soon as we thought the coast was clear, we tried leaving the closet, only to find her standing there with her arms crossed and smiling up a storm, knowing she’d caught us.

She didn’t wait for an introduction, but stuck out her hand to Garrett. “Hi, Handsome, I’m Hannah, Laurel’s roommate. And you are?”

Despite denying their love for years, in the end no
distraction could keep best friends Tristan and Elle apart. Passion and heat
explode as the two finally discover what they’ve been missing, needing, wanting
for so long.

When Tristan and Elle return home for Christmas break, the
two are gifted with a few unexpected surprises. Heather, Elle’s sister, has
come home and even better, she's now clean and sober. During this time, Tristan
and his dad manage to work through their strained relationship, finding
compromise and understanding. For the couple, everything is coming
together—until circumstances change, threatening their newfound happiness.

Love is an addiction both craved, but when devastating
secrets are revealed, Elle pushes Tristan away. He won't let go. She can't hold
on. Is their love strong enough to keep them together? Falling in love was
never an issue, but for Tristan and Elle, falling apart may be.

Author
Bio:

Angela
McPherson

Born and currently residing in Midland, Texas,
Angela shuffles three busy children (not including her husband) all over the
place. She works in a busy pediatric doctor's office as a nurse during the day,
and writes at night. She is addicted to coffee–who isn’t? And firmly believes
chocolate can fix all–especially chocolate ice cream. She laughs a lot, often
at herself and is willing to try anything once (she thinks). When Angela isn’t
rushing kids around, working or writing, she’s reading. Other than life
experience, Angela turns to a wide variety of music to help spark her creative
juices. She loves to dance and sing, though her kids often beg her not to.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Cursed by the malevolent spirit of the Headless
Horseman, Ireland Crane ventures to Manhattan in search of a way to break her
soul crushing bond. Instead, she discovers the lines between fact and fiction
are blurring once more. Croaking ravens. Telltale hearts. Could the works of
Poe be coming to pass with handsome Wall Street Midas Ridley Peolte as their
unwilling target?

She walks the Earth, a plague on mankind,searching for he, her rotted heart doth pine.

Together, the two unknowingly release a dark
force death itself could not tame. Surrounded by the unrelenting violence and
mayhem they’ve unleashed, Ireland feels her control over the Horseman slipping.
Before the beast within consumes her, she and her crew must follow the clues of
the dead to right a centuries’ old wrong. Will it be enough to sate the
Horseman’s appetite?

Hell hath no fury like a ghoul scorned.

Excerpt:

Lifting her
skirt enough to allow herself movement, Ireland ventured further down the line
to those patiently awaiting her attention. Her breath caught, the next two
faces turning to her like flower petals meeting the rays of the sun. Rip Van
Winkle, not the decrepit shell of himself she knew but the man he had once
been, knelt before her. Strong, strapping, and staring up at her with a level
of trust and admiration that made a flush of guilt stain her cheeks. Forcing
her troubled gaze to travel farther still, she found her heart seized in
desire’s iron fist.

His name
escaped her parted lips in a breathless sigh, “Noah.”

A crooked
smile meant just for her curled the corners of his lips. “You know what we want
and why we’re here …” his words trailed off as he tipped his head, offering her
his throat.

Beside him,
Rip matched the gesture.

Ireland
stumbled, her heel tangling in the hem of her skirt. “No! I-I could never hurt you!
You know that! You know me!”

Catching her
hand, Noah reeled her body back to him. One strong arm hooked around the rise
of her hips and pinned her to him. “Your gift is beautiful. Don’t ever doubt
that.” Turning the inside of her arm skyward, his mouth teased the tender flesh
of her wrist. The heat of his breath and delicate caress of each dotted kiss
sent waves of desire coursing through her. Hazel eyes, warmed to molten gold by
palpable desire, locked with her own and refused to falter. “Please, don’t deny
me.”

The adoration in his gaze, and the seduction
of his touch made Ireland feel like the most beautiful being on the planet …
until she caught sight of Rip out of the corner of her eye. He was wearing that
matching mask of longing. It wasn’t her they wanted—it never had been—but a
taste of what she could do. To be near death, and delve into the darkness.
Their own twisted yearning to thumb their nose at mortality led them to follow
her.

Clamping her
eyes on the wash of tears that threatened, Ireland ignored the wailing of her
heart … and laid a palm to each of their cheeks. One lone tear snuck between
her lashes at the cascade of tingles seeping up her arms.

“You can’t
blame them for not understanding,” a familiar voice drawled behind her.

She spun as
he neared, leaving Rip and Noah wheezing for breath—or, more likely, completion
of her task.

Techno-colored
flowers bloomed in a colorless world each time the sole of Ridley’s shoes met
the earth. The crisp cut of his white, tailored suit was accented by a burst of
color from the button-down shirt beneath that changed in hue to match the
species of flowers that sprung to life. Hydrangeas blue. Orchid purple. Lily
fuchsia. Rose coral. As he neared, Ireland noticed his eyes morphed to match as
well. The result hypnotic.

His haggard
and troubled façade was a thing of the past. The man before her exuded
confidence and a zest for life from every pore. The draw of which was so
magnetic Ireland had to fight to keep her feet planted while her body insisted
she close the distance between them.

“To them this
is a thrill, a game of chicken against the Reaper himself.” Ridley paused
beside her, his shoulder skimming hers. Even then he didn’t grace her with a
glance, his attention fixed on Rip and Noah. Tipping his head toward her, the
warmth of his breath teased over her breast bone. “For us, it’s destiny.”

The moment he
stepped away from her, the chill of solitude lashed at Ireland’s soul and cut
deep. Bending eye-level with her withering subjects, Ridley pursed his rose
petal lips to blow a soft, healing breath over both of them. Wan complexions of
the dying were ripened to plump apricot. Both men blinked away their
disappointment before dipping in a low bow—foreheads to the ground in a show of
respect.

“No need for
that, boys.” Ridley smoothed the front of his suit coat, a self-depreciating
chuckle playing over his lips.

Neither
humbled servant budged.

“You’re like
me?” Pacing in a slow circle around him, Ireland’s eye narrowed.

He matched
her steps, leading them in an intimate waltz normally reserved for predators—or
lovers.

“Like you?”
He tsked. “Oh no, my darling flower. There is no other like you. Our only
similarity is being pawns in a game that began centuries before either of our
fathers got an amorous gleam in their eyes.”

Ireland’s
gaze lingered over the soft curve of his mouth, wondering if his lips could
possibly taste as delectable as they looked. “How do we play?”

Curling one
finger into a ruffled tuft of her skirt, Ridley pulled her to him. Bowing his
head, he brushed his cheek over the delicate curve of her collarbone. “The game
is already in motion,” he murmured. “The rule sheet not meant for our eyes. All
we can do now is stay alive.”

Ireland
weaved her fingers into his hair, yanking his head back with a passion driven
force that bordered on violent. “I’ve taken lives. I’m a monster,” she snarled
against his lips, tormenting them both with the agonizing veil of energy that
denied their touch.

His hand
snaked up her arm to find her fingers and loosen her grasp. Palm to palm.
Fingers entwined with fingers. “Does granting it make me any better?”

Ridley didn’t
give her time to answer. With one hand pressed to the small of her back he
crushed her to him. Their lips met with
a desperate urgency that caused Heaven and Earth to quake in nervous
anticipation of what was coming …

Raven is freaking unbelievable!! Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined reading about Poe would be so entertaining. Stacey made it so much better. I loved the chemistry between all of the characters and Rip's quirkiness. All throughout the book I was entertained. Raven is definitely an incredible addition to the Legends Saga.

Author Bio:

Crane
is the fifth full length novel written by award winning author Stacey Rourke.
She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant,
drooly dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and
considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary
people that live in her head.

Blurb: The Arvy threat worsens each day. They continue to destroy the hive’s vital fuel resources, leaving us with one option— evacuate to the largest government bunker, located in South Dakota. The injured hive members are moved as first priority, but a disastrous event occurs on the way to our drop-off zone. We find ourselves in a ghost town, surrounded by spiteful, revenge filled Arvies. Chaos ensues and our death toll rises. Just when we think the end has come, unsuspected help arrives. We are rescued and brought to an underground bunker. They call it Sanctum. With no way of reaching outside help, we must depend on each other to reach our pick-up zone, thirty miles away. If we don’t make it in time, we will be left for dead. Time is ticking. My name is Abigail Park. I am a survivor.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22458368-sanctum

Sanctum is one of the best dystopian thrillers I've read to date. It kept me well entertained and throws you right into the action from the beginning. I actually enjoyed Sanctum far more than ARV-3 because the scene is set and I know what incredible characters I will see again. One thing is for sure about Cameo: she knows how to kick a** in a dystopian world. I call dibs on her as my roommate!!!

Author Bio:
My family is what keeps my heart beating, and my world a happy place to be. I love reading great books that whisk me away from reality, even if for a little while. :) Writing is my passion. I love creating new worlds and new characters, and taking wondrous adventures with them. In My Dreams & Hidden Wings were both recently published through Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing. Descent (A Hidden Wings novella) will be released May 15, 2013, and Broken Wings (Book 2 in the Hidden Wings Series) will be released June 1, 2013. One day I will find my magic wardrobe, and ride away on my magical unicorn... ♥ Until then... I'll keep writing! ;)

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Meena Kapoor
knows what life has in store for her. She’s in her senior year at Stanford
where she’ll graduate summa cum laude, and then she'll begin her interviews…her
marriage interviews. Meena is Indian, and she’s never questioned that she’ll
have an arranged marriage like all the generations before her. Not until she
meets gorgeous math major Ethan Callahan. Ethan’s sense of humor and free
spirit stir feelings in Meena she didn’t know were possible outside of
Bollywood movies. It doesn’t hurt that he’s charming and has the uncanny
ability to make math sound like poetry, but Meena knows their equation makes no
sense in the real world.

Ethan finds himself intrigued by the mysterious, beautiful girl, whose big,
brown eyes reflect great pain. His goals are small at first—to make her smile
and then to laugh. But he soon wants more, and though Meena is adamant they
have no future, he convinces her to share the present. Ethan believes every
problem has a solution, but with cultural expectations and family duty among
the variables, they will struggle to solve the ultimate equation to find
happiness.

Excerpt:

“It is kind of cool…the mating for life thing. There are so few species that mate for life.”

I turned and stared at him, feeling my heart flutter by his very close presence. His hand twitched a bit, like it wanted to grab mine. Was he feeling the same charge of electricity I was? I wanted to be honest with him. After I told him, he would probably rather hang out with a swan.

“That’s why I love them. They are just like me.”

He didn’t seem frazzled by what I’d said. He was quiet, soaking in my words. Rachael told me statements like this were the fastest way to get a guy to leave you alone, but Ethan didn’t even seem surprised. “You mate for life, Meena?”

“My people do”

“Economists?” he asked with an amused grin.

“Very funny.”

“Are you saying there are no Indian divorces?” His question sounded genuine.

“There are exceptions to every rule, but we do have the lowest divorce rate in the world.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“It’s culturally discouraged.”

He nodded. “Maybe, it should be here too. But is that really the only reason? It makes it sound like it’s very difficult to get yourself out of a bad situation.”

“It’s difficult, but usually not impossible. That’s not the only reason. I think the marriages, in general, are stronger and more stable.”

“What makes them stronger? Religion? Culture?” I was quiet for a moment, contemplating my response. “Come on, the answer to the Western woes of wedlock could be solved by this very conversation. Surely, you have a theory.”

“Two words—arranged marriage.”

His eyebrows shot up. I had finally surprised him, but he didn’t hesitate with his next question. “People still do that?”

“It’s not as common as it was, but it’s not uncommon either. Most Hindu marriages are the result of an arrangement.”

“I don’t know anyone who would want to get married like that.”

I sucked in a deep breath, but didn’t let my eyes waver from his. “Yes, you do.”

Variables of Love is sweet, quirky, and right up my alley. I love numbers and reading about a math geek who uses the A+B=C to discuss love and relationships is awesome.

The author did an amazing job on this story of forbidden love and satisfies the happily ever after plot bunnies. Would I recommend this story to romantic lovers? Heck yes!

And while you are here...check out the giveaway at the end of this post!!

About the Author:

I am a hopeless
romantic in a hopelessly pragmatic world. I have a full time life and two busy
teenagers, but in the dark of night, I sit by the warm glow of my computer
monitor, reading or writing, usually with some tasty Italian…the food that is!

I started imagining stories in my head at a very young age. In
fact, I got so good at it that friends asked me to create plots featuring them
as the heroine and the object of their affection as the hero. You've heard of
fan fiction... this was friend fiction.

I hope you enjoy my stories and always find The Happily Ever After
in every endeavor.

Blurb: In Until I Die Again, the highly anticipated sequel to Our Souls to Keep, Wake is alone in Hell, comforted and tormented by the memory of Annemarie. As session after session of torture on Bethany's table moves Wake closer to surrendering the last remaining fragments of his humanity, he receives information from an unlikely source. Nevin tells him that Annemarie's son Jacob is still in danger.

After discovering the true nature of Lucifer's plan for Jacob, Wake is determined to do the impossible—escape the Gates of Hell! He soon finds out that this unlikely task isn’t his greatest challenge. Wake learns the true meaning of self-sacrifice and the ultimate consequence of death as he searches for a way to break his contract with Satan. With an all-out war between Heaven and Hell in the near future, and the destiny of humanity at stake, Wake must decide who to trust as he battles to save a young boy from the powerful forces of Hell.

Gary Caruso lives in northern Virginia with his wife Jill, but their favorite place is in Ohio with their three beautiful grandchildren. Although Gary is exhilarated when he sits down to write, teaching middle school science is his first love. He’s passionate about empowering students to make thoughtful decisions and positive choices in life. Gary enjoys reading, especially fiction that blurs the line between what’s real and what’s fantasy. He never imagined becoming a writer until an ordinary car ride on a spring day jolted an unlikely thought into his head. Gary’s early experience writing is a reminder that no matter how intimidating the challenge, action and determination are the foundations for fulfilling any dream. Gary has an insatiable love for writing, a blessing he’s excited to share with his readers.

How much agony can a man endure before he surrenders every precious thought of the woman he holds most dear? I’ve lost count of the successive days of torture. Time after time, long, flat strips of glowing hot iron are pressed onto my exposed arms and legs. They sear away the flesh, layer by layer, almost to the bone, and the pungent smell of charring meat and the crackling of curling skin dominate my senses. I struggle to keep a lucid image of Annemarie’s beautiful smile in mind and remember the gentle touch of her soft fingertips as they glide across the coarse skin of my cheek. It’s the only string of goodness that remains from my vanishing humanity, but the torment of every exposed nerve scratches at my soul, seeking to push me beyond the edges of insanity.

Like a vise clamped on a piece of wood, my teeth clench into my lower lip until they eventually pierce through. I’m repulsed by the sour, metallic taste of my demon blood, but the pain refocuses my determination and keeps me from begging for mercy. The pain will stop if I surrender what remains of my broken humanity. As another bolt of pain tears at my body, I tighten my jaw again. I can’t crumble on Bethany’s table. I refuse to give her the pleasure.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

When
the Red Pelican Assassin's Guild offered Sarenka a job she thought she was
getting a safe cottage to live in while she spied on philandering
innkeepers. She had no idea it would lead to wanted posters flapping in
the ocean breeze and eating scraps from dog bowls. Branded a murderess, her
only chance for survival is to escape Burmtin.

Without
friends or allies she's lonely, desperate. Yet she dare not reveal her true
face for fear of what the slavers, mercenaries, pirates, and petty thieves will
do. Caught within a broiling cloud of deception, where psychics and ghosts
fight to control the twists of fate, Sarenka finds in the end that only one
thing matters: Can the same illusions that doom her, save her?

“Enter
a world of decadent opulence and primitive tribalism. Unleash your imagination
and ride the tide of fantasy with shape-shifters and quicksilver demons. Lose
yourself in a labyrinthine world, Kyron’s Worlde.”

This
is a stand alone book in the Kyron's World saga. Other books in the series
include Foretold: Betrayal and Foretold: Seduction's Blade.

Excerpt:

She
stopped in the tranquil garden to draw deep calming breaths before focusing on
her freni-kyn illusions. Unlike earlier, when she could not control the color
of her hair sparks, the illusions worked. Her face shifted into a nondescript
h’euman, losing its telltale heart shape and blue coloring, while her hair fell
to her shoulders in a coal-black mass, shedding the characteristic freni-kyn
lights.

Good... foreveron wearing off...
I’ve got at least a little control now. It wasn’t much of a
disguise and she knew it. A simple face, designed to blend in, one she had been
trained to make her first few days as an agent.

The
spicy sweet scent of flowers rolled through the garden, reminding her of the
blood. She sniffed her arm and grimaced. Finding a way to get rid of the blood
before someone else smelled it would become paramount if she didn’t get out the
main gates immediately. Meanwhile, illusions would mask the red smears and
spatters, keeping her safe from detection.

If... I can hold the illusions
long enough.

Sarenka
raced across town for the city gates, grateful for the quiet slippers.
Irritating beaded fringe slapped against her hands and chest in tempo with her
stride, making her wish she had a knife to cut them free.

Time to flee... find a different... safer... place. Quickly! Before
they discover the body.

E.S. Tilton BIO:

Avid gardener and costume enthusiast, ES Tilton spends
her time petting cats, loving on family, playing with computers, and writing
fantasy fiction. Despite a recent move
to the country, she claims there is never enough time to follow her dreams, to
whatever strange land they may lead. She
is the proud owner of two cats, one lover, three children, and more plants than
she can take care of. Her other
interests include dancing, herbal healing, psychic phenomena, and, of course,
pleasure.

Monday, September 22, 2014

The great State of California has elected themselves a new governor…and he’s a vampire! Many hope it will bring some peace between the humans and vampires. Many don’t, which could be the reason someone is trying to kill him. Knowing they can’t protect him from supernatural terrorist attacks, the Department of Homeland Security turns to the only people who can, the FBI. More importantly, their only vampire agent. Ashlyn may be Governor Greer’s only hope, but can she keep him alive without starting a war of her own? When the lines begin to blur and it becomes difficult to separate her enemies from her allies, Ashlyn may end up doing just that.

Born the son of a fire chief, Sean naturally developed a love of playing with fire. His family and friends quickly found other outlets for his destructive creativity. Writing is his latest endeavor.

Always a fan of the macabre, mythical, and magical, Sean found a love of urban fantasy and horror. After writing several novels in this genre, he found, fell in love with, and immersed himself in steampunk. He has always wanted to rewrite history and steampunk gave him that opportunity.

Sean currently lives in Florida as a fiber-optic engineer as well as an author. He was blessed with the two most amazing children he could ever hope for, has met the absolute love of his life, who coincidentally is his partner in everything. His hobbies include grand designs on world domination as well as a starring role in his own television sitcom.